Swimming Pool Etiquette: Who Is Right?

I have a question about swimming pool etiquette. When people swim and people who float and talk share the same pool, who has to watch and get out of the way? The floaters think they can cover the whole pool wherever they want and want the swimmers to watch out for them. Are there any rules to overcome this?

Thanks for your question. This is an interesting one. As far as I am aware, there is no right or wrong answer, and I do not think there are any rules.

Most public swimming pools have a roped-off area or a series of lanes for swimmers who want to swim laps of the pool as part of a workout. The lanes are usually sign-posted as Fast Lane, Slow Lane etc.

As you put it, those who wish to swim leisurely or to float and talk are usually required to swim in a general swimming area. This is the area that children may play in (if there is no separate kids' pool) and where there are no swimmers swimming laps.

If your pool does not have such a setup, it may be worth approaching the management and requesting it on the grounds of safety, if nothing else.

Having said all that, you would think that those people wanting to swim and chat would have some respect for those of us that are in there for a serious workout or to perfect our swimming technique! Most people in a swimming pool stay out of the way of lane swimmers, especially if they are in the same area of the pool.

Sadly there is no code of practice or swimming etiquette. We have to rely on plain old common sense and common courtesy.

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